Ngoma: No regrets about Pirates stint

Cape Town City winger Aubrey Ngoma says that he doesn’t have any qualms about his short stint at Orlando Pirates in 2012, in addition to speaking about his Bafana Bafana call-up.

The pint-sized winger has formed an integral part of the Citizens’ debut season success in the Absa Premiership campaign, forming a deadly duo alongside Lebogang Manyama, which saw the pair score 21 goals between them to help The Mother City-based outfit claim the Telkom knockout trophy and third spot on the table.

As a result of his impressive performances this campaign, Ngoma has received his first national team call-up, and the 27-year-old has reflected on this part of his football journey, from being sidelined at Pirates, to becoming one of the most sought-after players in South Africa.

“I don’t think I have regrets about my time there. I learnt so much because of the type of players around you. It built my character, and I valued the moments when I played,” he told IOL.

“I think different coaches prefer a certain type of player, and I wasn’t what they were looking for while I was at the club.

“Roger [de SA] used me a bit because there were a lot of games and he was rotating the squad. But eventually I went to (now defunct) Mpumalanga Black Aces because Pirates wanted [Tendai] Ndoro in a swap deal,” he added.

Ngoma made mention of the PSL’s most decorated player, Daine Klate, in attempting to explain why he has been overlooked at national team level.

“I think when you are a winger, you are judged on your numbers, the statistics.

“You have to be creative and score goals, but no one really looks at the fact that you help create chances and the strikers don’t convert. In Europe at the end of the season, they give you all the stats and you can see who created the most chances, even if they were not converted.

“Here you can get overlooked because of those small details. And what ends up happening is that midfielders who play in the No 10 role get used as wingers because their numbers are better, and that is what the coaches want, goals and clear-cut chances.

“Keagan Dolly (another winger) got the Bafana recognition once he started scoring goals and creating chances.” he concluded.

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